Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for May 10 to 17:
Early on May 14, a resident reported hearing noises from outside their residence in the 5700 block of Binnacle Road, Sechelt. The resident did not investigate at the time, but in the morning, discovered that their rabbit cage had been opened and their rabbit was missing. The rabbit, who goes by Hector, is mostly white, but has black ear, eyes, and black spots on his cheeks, and along his back. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-3073.
Hector was discovered missing from his cage in the 5700 block of Binnacle Road in Sechelt on May 14. By Sunshine Coast RCMP Photo
Break and Enter
• On May 14, a suspect gained entry to an unsecured garage in the 6100 block of Lookout Lane, Sechelt, and stole a distinctive yellow mountain bike. A witness reported seeing a male suspect in the area that morning and was able to provide a description. On May 15, after the owner posted the stolen bike on social media, police received a report of a possible sighting of the bike and suspect in the 5600 block of Trail Avenue, Sechelt. Police made patrols and located the suspect riding the stolen bike and arrested the male, who was known to police, for possession of stolen property. After police confirmed the seized bike was the same as the one reported stolen, the bike was returned to the owner. Theft charges are being recommended and the file is still under investigation.
Fraud
• On May 13, a Coast resident reported a fraud after attempting to purchase a dog from an out-of-province breeder. The resident responded to an online ad for a popular type of dog, from breeders purportedly from the U.S. After communication back and forth, the resident wire-transferred the full cost of the puppy and then was told when she could pick up the puppy from Vancouver International Airport. On the day of the pick-up, the resident received a call from the breeder advising there had been an issue with the crate while the puppy was en route, and that to get the puppy safely to Vancouver, the resident would need to pay the shipping company more money to arrange for a special crate. At this point, the resident grew suspicious, and soon realized she had been scammed.
Scam
• On May 11, a Coast resident reported falling for a popular scam after receiving a number of calls from scammers purporting to be Service Canada enforcement officers. The resident was told that her Social Insurance Number had been used in the commission of multiple crimes and that there was a warrant for her arrest. The resident was told that she could clear the matter up by sending the officers funds in Bitcoin and Google Play gift cards. The resident did as she was instructed, spending a large amount of money to do so. The resident, who advised that the local non-emergency police number had appeared on her call display, called the Sunshine Coast RCMP directly to confirm her warrants had been cancelled, and learned that she had been scammed. This type of scam is very widespread and features many red flags. The public is reminded no law enforcement agency, or any financial or government agency, will require payment for anything in Bitcoin or gift cards or other unusual methods. Also, scammers will spoof phone numbers so that it appears the callers are legitimate so call display cannot be trusted. If you receive any sort of phone call purportedly from a known agency, call the agency or business back using a phone number you are sure is legitimate.
Impaired Driving
• On May 11, a witness reported a possible impaired driver in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, after the vehicle was seen swerving in its lane at erratic speeds. Police located the suspect vehicle nearby and initiated a traffic stop. Police noted the driver was exhibiting signs of possible impairment from alcohol and gave the driver a roadside alcohol screening test. After two fail results, the driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On May 11, a witness reported a possible impaired driver northbound on Highway 101. Police located the suspect vehicle in Roberts Creek and initiated a traffic stop. The Class 7 driver, who advised she had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana earlier in the evening, was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After a warn result, the driver was issued a three-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On May 16, a witness reported a possible impaired driver asleep at the wheel with his foot on the brake of a vehicle running in reverse in the 1400 block of Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek. The witness managed to turn off the vehicle and rouse the male enough to get him out of the car. Emergency Health Services also attended the scene. Police noted the male exhibiting signs of intoxication from alcohol and gave him a roadside alcohol screening test. After a fail result, the unlicensed driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, an indefinite suspension for not having a valid driver’s licence and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On May 16, Emergency Health Services reported a single-vehicle incident in the 7600 block of Redrooffs Road, Halfmoon Bay, after a vehicle went off road and into a ditch. All three occupants were able to exit the vehicle on their own, but one young passenger was taken to Sechelt Hospital as a precaution. Police spoke with the driver who was exhibiting signs of intoxication from alcohol. Police also noted alcohol in the vehicle and at the scene. The driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test and after a fail result, was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On May 17, police witnessed a possible impaired driver drifting in his lane and crossing the double solid line on Highway 101 near Lawson Road, Sechelt. Police initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the lone driver and occupant, who advised he’d consumed alcohol earlier in the evening. Police, noting boxes of unopened alcohol in the back seat, gave the driver a roadside alcohol screening test. After a fail and warn result, the driver was issued a three-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Prohibited Driving
• On May 12, a witness reported a known prohibited driver driving west on Highway 101 near Selma Park Road, providing police with a vehicle description. Police located the vehicle in Sechelt and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was confirmed to be a suspended driver and after negative roadside alcohol screening test, was issued an undertaking and appearance notice for court and his vehicle was impounded for seven days. Charges of driving while disqualified/suspended are being recommended. The file is still under investigation.
Found Property
• On May 14, a damaged cellphone found on a Sunshine Coast BC Transit bus was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2021-3067. A second cellphone in a case containing an assortment of cards and documents was also turned in by Sunshine Coast BC Transit. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2021-3068. On May 14, a purse found on a Sunshine Coast BC Transit bus was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2021-3070.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
